JUL 09

I'm guessing this is more of a PR thing but definitely a step in the right direction.

http://thefoodmonsterblog.blogspot.com
I would like to see a setting for turning the air on while the car is off, powered by solar powered roof. That way while you are in the mall your car is frosty. If the sun goes behind a cloud, you don't need the air on.

There may be a setting like that mr. Food Monster (any relation to the Cookie Monster?), as I've heard that (but not seen) there's a skoda with a solar panel in the sunroof that powers the fans, charges the battery while the car is parked, keeping it cool.

But personally, I think Solar panels aren't worth putting on cars yet, (not until they're more efficient and cheaper).
This seems to be just another gimmick, to make them look like they care about the planet, but economically, it makes no sense, and doesn't do much to help the planet either (and in some cases, is worse for the planet)

The additional cost of the solar panel (as well as any electronic converters, and the slight effect their extra weight has on the mileage) will usually be much more than the price of grid electricity (to charge the battery from).

The only situation I can see it being worth it, is if you live in a desert/equatorial area, where you can be assured of a good amount of sun(/solar energy), but even then, it would be better to put the solar panels on the roof of your home, so you can have them at the optimum angle for maximum efficiency.

But if you do want a solar car, I think this
http://www.carectomy.com/index.php/Bikes/Hungarian-Hybrid-Combines
would be better than a prius

I agreed with most of what Clinch said. It is not cost-effective to have the solar panels on the Prius. I'm sure Toyota still need to work out a variety of issues with the design, safety, and durability of the solar panels. I just can't see them coming out with the solar panel option on the Prius by 2009 or 2010. However, the Prius has revolutionized hybrid vehicles and opened the gate of possibilities for more alternatively fueled vehicles such as biofuel, fuel cell, etc. Thus, if the new solar feature in Prius become a hit with customers, it could revolutionize photovoltaic technology in many ways including lowering costs due to mass production, increasing efficiency resulted from higher interest and breakthroughs in R&D, providing driving force for plug-in technology (for residential use) and grid connectivity (to sell back to ulities).

I don't think Toyota makes the Prius so they appear to care for the environment. They are fulfilling a high demand in the marketplace for such a vehicle. I think incorporating any type of alternate energy sources into anything that requires energy is a great thing. If it is cost efficient is the question. Solar technology is growing so fast that I would not be surprised if in two years the technology will suit the Prius. I would love to have my AC ( live in FL) powered by Solar!!!

"The solar energy collected from the panels will supply a portion of the 2-5 kilowatts needed to run the air conditioning."

Really? 2-5 kW to run the air conditioning in a Prius? Who's ever heard of a 5 kW air conditioner? Maybe in a house. A BIG house.

If you're gonna keep the "geek" in Ecogeek, you should get the facts and the technical stuff right -- or at least plausible.

From all the sources I can find that mention the kilowatts needed to run the AC, they say exactly what is written in my post. Should I find out this fact is incorrect, I'll be sure to fix it.

I think the 2-5 kW is correct, if a car has an engine that puts out 75kW, and air conditioning can increases fuel use 5%, then thats 3.75kW.

Considering that a coffee maker will pull 1500 watts while brewing, the 2 to 5 kilowatt range does not surprise me, particularly when the unit is trying to cool a car that has been sitting in the sun all afternoon. The interior can hit, what, 140, 160 degrees? Rapidly (relatively) bringing that down to 75? I find that I am much better served if I spend the first few minutes driving with the windows open (even if the outside temp is 95) and then close the windows and turn on the AC.

BTW, it was my understanding that this solar AC thing would serve to keep the car cool while it is parked. That way, it is more comfortable when you get into it and the AC doesn't have to work as hard at the start.

I look forward too a plug in version of the hybrid with solar panels. I work from 05:00-3:30 and my work is only 12 miles away so I could recharge the batteries fully on solar power. Hopefully down the road this will be available.

It is an interesting concept... but with as ridiculously expensive as hybrids are already, do you think we could honestly the technology costs of producing solar-powered cars?